26.06.2024

Vladimir Malinov: Nuclear energy is part of Bulgaria's economic and national security

Nuclear energy in Bulgaria is part of the economic and national security of the country. This was said by the Acting Minister of Energy, Vladimir Malinov, quoted by BTA.

According to the minister, this will be a leading priority in the work of the current caretaker government. Malinov hopes that this will be a priority for every subsequent government - to have secure, safe energy from nuclear power at an affordable price for businesses and the population.

The official minister pointed out that the most important priority for the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria is, first of all, compliance with all norms for safety and protection of the environment, as well as human health.

"Bulgaria is a country with 50 years of experience in the nuclear sector and in the management of nuclear facilities. It is for this reason that the program for the diversification of nuclear energy in our country, in which the construction of the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy NPP is an integral part, is a priority that must not be abandoned and must continue. Diversification of the nuclear fuel of the 5th unit of our nuclear power plant has already been achieved," Malinov also stated.

The Minister of Energy did not fail to clarify the rumors about the release of radioactive water from the Kozloduy NPP into the Danube River. He reassured that there was no danger to the workers there and to the population

"As far as I know, on Saturday the deputy director of the NPP appeared before the media and reassured that there is no radioactive danger for the workers either. There was no leakage of radioactive water into the Danube, the Agency for Nuclear Regulation was notified and there is no danger to the population," said Malinov.

The project for the construction of the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy NPP will be the largest in Bulgaria for the last 40 years

The project for the construction of the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy NPP began with two decisions of the National Assembly, said the chairman of the Committee on Energy in the 49th Parliament, Delyan Dobrev.

He added that in the first decision, the technology of the American company "Westinghouse" was chosen with the AR 1000 reactor, which will be the first of its kind in Europe.

"We hope it will be not only the first started project, but also the first completed project," said Dobrev.

With the second decision of the National Assembly, "Hyundai Engineering and Construction" was selected as the company with which to negotiate the construction of these two blocks. According to Dobrev, this will be the biggest project in Bulgaria for the last 40 years.